Sam Haskell Jr. dies by suicide in prison days before hearing over alleged murder of wife and in-laws
The news was first reported by TMZ.
Haskell Jr. had been facing three counts of murder relating to the deaths of his wife, Mei Li Haskell, and her parents, Gaoshan Li and Yanxiang Wang, in 2023.
He had pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles court. Authorities alleged that he dismembered the victims' bodies, placed the remains in bin bags, and hired day labourers to dispose of them at a dump site.
At the time of his death, Haskell was being held in custody, awaiting a preliminary hearing that would decide whether there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
His father, Sam Haskell Sr., is a well-known figure in the American entertainment industry. He is the founder and president of Magnolia Hill Productions, which has produced several high-profile television specials, including those featuring Dolly Parton and The Waltons.
Prior to founding his production company, Haskell Sr. served as Worldwide Head of Television at the William Morris Agency, representing stars such as George Clooney, Whoopi Goldberg, and Dolly Parton.
Haskell Jr.'s death marks a dramatic and tragic development in a case that shocked Los Angeles last year due to its gruesome nature and the high-profile connections of the accused. As of now, no further details regarding the circumstances of his death have been officially released.
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